1997 – The Yankees beat the Twins’ Brad Radke, ending his win streak at 12 games. Luis Sojo snaps a 1 – 1 tie in the 8th with a 2-run home run. Since 1950, only three pitchers have won 12 straight games.

1997 – The Yankees beat the Twins’ Brad Radke, ending his win streak at 12 games. Luis Sojo snaps a 1 – 1 tie in the 8th with a 2-run home run. Since 1950, only three pitchers have won 12 straight games.

At Busch Stadium, recently acquired Mark McGwire hits his 364th career home run on a pitch thrown by Phillies’ right-hander Mark Leiter for his first National League round-tripper. The Cardinals slugging first baseman will hit a total of 220 homers in the Senior Circuit, all for the Redbirds.

At Busch Stadium, recently acquired Mark McGwire hits his 364th career home run on a pitch thrown by Phillies’ right-hander Mark Leiter for his first National League round-tripper. The Cardinals slugging first baseman will hit a total of 220 homers in the Senior Circuit, all for the Redbirds.

Randy Johnson becomes the first pitcher to strike out 19 batters in a game twice in one season when he fans 19 Chicago White Sox in a 5 – 0 victory.

Randy Johnson becomes the first pitcher to strike out 19 batters in a game twice in one season when he fans 19 Chicago White Sox in a 5 – 0 victory.

Randy Johnson becomes the first pitcher to strike out 19 batters in a game twice in one season when he fans 19 Chicago White Sox in a 5 – 0 victory.

The Red Sox pound out 24 hits, including four home runs, in defeating the Rangers, 17 – 1. Nomar Garciaparra is 4 for 7 with a homer and two doubles and Troy O’Leary homers twice into the upper deck.

The Red Sox pound out 24 hits, including four home runs, in defeating the Rangers, 17 – 1. Nomar Garciaparra is 4 for 7 with a homer and two doubles and Troy O’Leary homers twice into the upper deck.

In New York, Houston’s Darryl Kile cops his ninth straight decision despite allowing two home runs to John Olerud. Houston hangs on to win, 11 – 8. Kile (16-3) allows 8 runs and 10 hits in seven innings.

In New York, Houston’s Darryl Kile cops his ninth straight decision despite allowing two home runs to John Olerud. Houston hangs on to win, 11 – 8. Kile (16-3) allows 8 runs and 10 hits in seven innings.

At Anaheim, Jose Valentin, Dave Nilsson, and Jeromy Burnitz homer in the 4th inning, all off Ken Hill, as Milwaukee beats Anaheim, 5 – 2, for its 10th victory in 12 games. The loss drops Anaheim into a tie for first place in the AL West with the idle Seattle Mariners.

At Anaheim, Jose Valentin, Dave Nilsson, and Jeromy Burnitz homer in the 4th inning, all off Ken Hill, as Milwaukee beats Anaheim, 5 – 2, for its 10th victory in 12 games. The loss drops Anaheim into a tie for first place in the AL West with the idle Seattle Mariners.

Manny Ramirez homers and drives in four runs, and Jim Thome hits his 30th homer as the Indians beat Detroit, 7 – 2. Charles Nagy improves to 12-4 lifetime against the Tigers, his most wins against any club. Thome is the first Cleveland lefthanded hitter to hit 30 homers in successive seasons since Hal Trosky in 1936-1937. Scott Sanders (3-9), making his fourth start since being traded to Detroit from Seattle, is the loser. He has lost all three of his decisions in a Tigers uniform.

Manny Ramirez homers and drives in four runs, and Jim Thome hits his 30th homer as the Indians beat Detroit, 7 – 2. Charles Nagy improves to 12-4 lifetime against the Tigers, his most wins against any club. Thome is the first Cleveland lefthanded hitter to hit 30 homers in successive seasons since Hal Trosky in 1936-1937. Scott Sanders (3-9), making his fourth start since being traded to Detroit from Seattle, is the loser. He has lost all three of his decisions in a Tigers uniform.

Kevin Tapani finally makes his Cubs debut, limiting Atlanta to five hits over seven plus innings, as the Cubs win, 3 – 1. Tapani (1-0) signed to a three-year, $11 million deal with the Cubs after winning 13 games for the White Sox last season, had surgery April 4 to remove scar tissue in his right index finger.

Kevin Tapani finally makes his Cubs debut, limiting Atlanta to five hits over seven plus innings, as the Cubs win, 3 – 1. Tapani (1-0) signed to a three-year, $11 million deal with the Cubs after winning 13 games for the White Sox last season, had surgery April 4 to remove scar tissue in his right index finger.

At Shea Stadium, the Mets top the Cards, 4 – 2, in a rain-interupted game. Rick Reed (10-4) wins his 6th straight, beating Manny Aybar, making his major league debut. Lance Johnson has a pair of RBI triples. Completing an unusual major league-minor league sweep, the Pittsfield Mets top the New Jersey Cardinals (NY-Penn League), 8 – 4, in the earlier 9-inning game.

At Shea Stadium, the Mets top the Cards, 4 – 2, in a rain-interupted game. Rick Reed (10-4) wins his 6th straight, beating Manny Aybar, making his major league debut. Lance Johnson has a pair of RBI triples. Completing an unusual major league-minor league sweep, the Pittsfield Mets top the New Jersey Cardinals (NY-Penn League), 8 – 4, in the earlier 9-inning game.